"The Knicks did it without Danilo Gallinari, who missed the game with a mysterious strained forearm. They did it without Nate Robinson, punished and benched for the second straight game by coach Mike D'Antoni.

And they did it with veteran Al Harrington, who in the morning was left wondering if he ultimately will be traded to the Bulls for the younger Tyrus Thomas.

After falling into an 11-0 hole, the Knicks stormed back behind Harrington's monster 25-point first half and grinded out a 114-107 victory at Phillips Arena. They moved to 5-15, beating the prosperous Suns and Hawks in two of the last three games. The no-longer winless Nets are up next tomorrow at the Garden.

Harrington, who started in place of the injured Gallinari, wasn't the only veteran who willed them to physically impose their will on the 13-6 Hawks, who had scored 146 points in their prior game. Point guard Chris Duhon had his best game -- 25 points, 10 assists -- and Larry Hughes abused Mike Bibby on drives in the fourth quarter, finishing with 16 points and seven assists. As much as the Knicks talk about trying to win with young guys, their three vets pulled them through.

"I definitely felt I could score when I wanted to," said Harrington, who was 10 of 13 in the first half and drew constant double teams.

Harrington didn't shoot much in the second half, finishing with 27 points, but Duhon, Hughes and defense carried them home."